Latest news with #KennedyCenterforPerformingArts
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Scottish singer to relive 'scary' stage moment which bagged her place on Sex and the City film soundtrack
Mhairi Campbell's version of Auld Lang Syne was featured in Sex and the City in 2008 Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... An award-winning Scottish trad singer is to relive the 'scary' stage moment which bagged her a place on the soundtrack of a major Hollywood film. A Fringe show by Mairi Campbell will see her tell the audience about a moment on stage in the US, when she blanked - and later recovered, resulting in her song later being used in the iconic Sex and the City film. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Campbell is to perform the full version of her acclaimed Pendulum Trilogy, one part of which was featured in a New Year's Eve scene in the the 2008 spin off of the hit TV series for the first time at this year's Fringe. In 1999, Ms Campbell was performing Auld Lang Syne, one part of the trilogy, at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC with her husband, David Francis, before an audience which included Bill Clinton, Sean Connery as well as Sex and the City actress Sarah Jessica Parker. Mairi Campbell's Auld Lang Syne was in the Sex and the City film. | Mairi Campbell As a result, the track was used in the Sex and the City soundtrack nine years later. Ms Campbell said: 'It was a scary stage moment of losing it and we're bringing that back on stage.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She will also recreate the moment she and her husband found out their music was to be used in the film. She said: 'It shows me walking into the living room, where Dave is watching TV and just being like, 'Hi Dave, what are you watching?' and then the phone rings. I pick it up and say, 'What? Oh my God, we're in the movie!'' She added: 'I went to see it on my own at the cinema in Edinburgh, it was very surreal. I sat there and then I heard the beginnings of Dave's guitar. I think it has brought our music to a wider audience.' In the show, she plays various 'characters' who have featured throughout her life and also uses movement in addition to her music. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the first performance of the first chapter, Pulse, Ms Campbell will also perform the rest of the work - including Auld Lang Syne and Living Stone - at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Ms Campbell, who will turn 60 during the Fringe run, directed by Kath Burlinson, said: 'I'm very proud to present this body of work. It's been sweat, blood and tears, but the reward is gorgeous and I'm so enjoying the journey of showing them, now the hard work's been done. The three shows mark forty years - from ages 19 to 59.' She added: 'Pulse takes the audience through the challenges of finding my feet through traditional music in my twenties. Auld Lang Syne pulls back and yet forward - a timeless song, unpacked and finally understood. Finally Living Stone is the journey of meeting my Talisman, the millstone that is present throughout all the shows.'
CNN
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Conan O'Brien explains why he went to the Kennedy Center for the Mark Twain Award
Conan O'Brien is opening up about his decision honor a commitment his made to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Several performers have canceled performances at the renowned and historically bipartisan arts institution after President Donald Trump criticized the venue of which he's now the chairman and installed political loyalists in top leadership positions. On Friday's episode of his 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend' podcast, O'Brien said he wanted to talk about the 'momentous moment' in his career. The award was given to him by the 'old regime,' O'Brien said, and he wanted to 'honor their decision.' 'Obviously for the last couple of months with the new administration, there's been some controversial stuff going on with the Kennedy Center,' he added. 'There was a question of 'Should I go? Should I not go?'' he said. 'And I felt like it was important to show up.' The comedian described the night positively. 'It was really lovely because the young people working at the Kennedy Center for years were delighted that we came.' he said. 'They don't know what their future is.' O'Brien was selected by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to receive the 26th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in January. The prize, which is named to honor one of the world's greatest humorists, was awarded at a gala performance on March 23 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall and featured some of the biggest names in comedy, including David Letterman, Sarah Silverman, and John Mulaney who celebrated O'Brien. The event was filmed to later stream on Netflix. A date for the show has not yet been announced.
CNN
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Conan O'Brien explains why he went to the Kennedy Center for the Mark Twain Award
Conan O'Brien is opening up about his decision honor a commitment his made to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. Several performers have canceled performances at the renowned and historically bipartisan arts institution after President Donald Trump criticized the venue of which he's now the chairman and installed political loyalists in top leadership positions. On Friday's episode of his 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend' podcast, O'Brien said he wanted to talk about the 'momentous moment' in his career. The award was given to him by the 'old regime,' O'Brien said, and he wanted to 'honor their decision.' 'Obviously for the last couple of months with the new administration, there's been some controversial stuff going on with the Kennedy Center,' he added. 'There was a question of 'Should I go? Should I not go?'' he said. 'And I felt like it was important to show up.' The comedian described the night positively. 'It was really lovely because the young people working at the Kennedy Center for years were delighted that we came.' he said. 'They don't know what their future is.' O'Brien was selected by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to receive the 26th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in January. The prize, which is named to honor one of the world's greatest humorists, was awarded at a gala performance on March 23 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall and featured some of the biggest names in comedy, including David Letterman, Sarah Silverman, and John Mulaney who celebrated O'Brien. The event was filmed to later stream on Netflix. A date for the show has not yet been announced.
USA Today
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
President Trump to preside over board meeting in visit to Kennedy Center
President Trump to preside over board meeting in visit to Kennedy Center Show Caption Hide Caption JD Vance booed at Kennedy Center performance The vice president was booed at the Kennedy Center amid controversy after President Trump took over as chairman. WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump is set Monday to visit the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to preside over a board meeting after ousting the center's leadership last month and naming himself the new board chairman. Trump's visit comes after some acts ‒ including actress Issa Rae and the Broadway hit "Hamilton" ‒ canceled upcoming performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington in response to Trump's takeover of the iconic cultural institution. CBS News reported Trump will appear on stage at the center's opera house, which is typically used for live performances, not board meetings. More: Trump names a new head of the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in DC: himself Trump recently named top ally Ric Grenell as the Kennedy Center's president. Grenell, who also serves as Trump's envoy for special missions, said in a social media post last month the Kennedy Center has "zero cash on hand" and "zero in reserves," pledging to "fix this great institution." The Kennedy Center, which opened in 1971 in honor of the late 35th president of the United States, serves as the nation's arts and cultural center, offering a wide assortment of concerts, plays and other live acts to paying customers. Trump cited "drag shows" held at the Kennedy Center as one of the reasons for taking command of the center, vowing to stop such performances. Trump declined to attend the annual Kennedy Center Honors performances during his first term. More: 'Hamilton' producers cancel shows at Kennedy Center after Trump administration takeover About 16% of the Kennedy's Center annual $268 million budget comes from the federal government. The New York Times reported the center took in about $141 million in private contributions and grants in the fiscal year that ended in September 2023. During a surprise visit to the Kennedy Center last week to watch the National Symphony Orchestra, Vice President JD Vance was booed loudly by other patrons after he arrived in his balcony seat with his wife, Usha Vance. More: JD Vance booed by crowd at Kennedy Center concert after Trump takeover of arts venue Grenell responded to video of Vance's reception in a post on X: "It troubles me to see that so many in the audience appear to be white and intolerant of diverse political views. Diversity is our strength. We must do better," he said. "We must welcome EVERYONE. We will not allow the Kennedy Center to be an intolerant place." In addition to installing himself as the center's new leader, Trump also named several aides and other allies to the center's board of trustees including White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Usha Vance, singer Lee Greenwood, Fox News personality Laura Ingraham, and Sergio Gor, director of Trump's personnel office. Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
